“Vulnerable adults” – a last push

With many thanks to all those who have been in touch, from many different settings and backgrounds, to offer support and case studies for the ‘vulnerable adults’ project that I am seeking to persuade the Law Commission to take up, a few more observations and a last call for evidence. The original call is here, and further clarification of some points here.

Questions that might help in terms of framing your (internal) debate about these issues include:

1. Should the tools available to address domestic violence/abuse such as Domestic Violence Protection Notices/Orders and the offence of controlling and coercive behaviour be available outside ‘intimate’ and ‘family’ relationships?

2. Should there be a governing set of principles to address when and why the state is justified in intervening in the lives of those who are said to be at risk of exploitation or abuse (an example can be found in the Scottish Adult Support and Protection Act 2007: see sections 1 and 2):

1. General principle on intervention in an adult’s affairs

The general principle on intervention in an adult’s affairs is that a person may intervene, or authorise an intervention, only if satisfied that the intervention—

(a) will provide benefit to the adult which could not reasonably be provided without intervening in the adult’s affairs, and

(b) is, of the range of options likely to fulfil the object of the intervention, the least restrictive to the adult’s freedom.

This section applies for the purposes of section 2 only.

2. Principles for performing Part 1 functions

A public body or office-holder performing a function under this Part in relation to an adult must, if relevant, have regard to—

(a) the general principle on intervention in an adult’s affairs,

(b) the adult’s ascertainable wishes and feelings (past and present),

(c) any views of—

(i) the adult’s nearest relative,

(ii) any primary carer, guardian or attorney of the adult, and

(iii) any other person who has an interest in the adult’s well-being or property,

which are known to the public body or office-holder,

(d) the importance of—

(i) the adult participating as fully as possible in the performance of the function, and

(ii) providing the adult with such information and support as is necessary to enable the adult to so participate,

(e) the importance of ensuring that the adult is not, without justification, treated less favourably than the way in which any other adult (not being an adult at risk) might be treated in a comparable situation, and

3. Can (and if so, how) the cohort of individuals in respect of whom criminal and civil protections should be available be delineated? Would – for instance – the concept of ‘adult at risk’ in the Adult Support and Protection Act 2007 be appropriate?

(1) "Adults at risk” are adults who –

(a) are unable to safeguard their own well-being, property, rights or other interests,

(b) are at risk of harm, and

(c) because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, are more vulnerable to being harmed than adults who are not so affected.

(2) An adult is at risk of harm for the purposes of subsection (1) if—

(a) another person’s conduct is causing (or is likely to cause) the adult to be harmed, or

(b) the adult is engaging (or is likely to engage) in conduct which causes (or is likely to cause) self-harm.

[for my part, I am not sure that I agree that we would wish to include provisions in relation to self-harm]

I cannot emphasise enough that I see these all as questions for consideration by the Law Commission – and, in due course, consultation – should it take matters forward.

Any further case studies or expressions of support are very welcome by email to me at alex.ruckkeene@39essex.com.

Anyone
can be a victim and we should all be vigilant about any unsolicited contact
especially if it involves parting with even the smallest amount of money.